Air-vent means for vaults



April 17, 1928. 1,666,673 J. P. WlLLlAMS AIR VENT MEANS FOR VAULTS FiledMarch 4, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 LELWEL 1 23 22 INVENT 25 April 17, 1928.

' J. P. WILLIAMS AIR-VENT MEANS FOR VAULTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYApril 17, 1928.

1,666,673 J. P. WILLIAMS AIR VENT MEANS FOR- VAULTS Filed March 4. 19273 s t -s t 3' Patented Apr. 17, 1928 UNITED STATES JOHN P. WILLIAMS, OFBAYSIDE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO DUPLEX ELECTRIC COH- PANY, OF NEW YORK,N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

AIR-VENT MEANS FOR VAULTS.

Application filed March 4, 1927. Serial No.- 112,914.

This invention relates to air-vent means for vaults and comprises adevice which is mounted in a vault wall and extends there through and isadapted to be operated from the inside of the vault to provide a directopening to the exterior of the Vault. The purpose of such air-ventdevices is to enable anyone locked in a vault, either under burglariousattack or accidentally, to conveniently open up the air passageafiorde'd by the device and thus secure desired ventilation Within thevault and communication through the wall thereof. The air passage thusafforded will also enable the pumplng of oxygen or air from the outsidein sufiicient degree to preserve the lite of anyone imprisoned in thevault during any period of time until released.

It will be understood that bank vaults, as usually constructed, areair-tight at the interior, and have time-lock closure doors, and thattherefore to preserve life Within the vault under closed conditions itis necessary to provide emergency means for communication with theoutside air.

Devices of this character as heretofore constructed have involved theuse of a IIle tallic sleeve extending through the vault wall, and a plughaving an insertable position withinthe sleeve and forming a closurethereof, said plug being in threaded engagement with the interior of thesleeve and; being adapted to be revolubly operated from the interior ofthe vault to enable its disengagement from threaded connection with thesleeve and the'withdrawal of the plug inwardly from the sleeve to openup the air passage therethrough. This previous type of air-vent deviceis open to many objections and disadvantages, especially inasmuch as itrequires heavy manual operation by the imprisoned person and thecomplete manual withdrawal of an essentially. heavy plug, the generalconditions of essential operation thus imposing upon an imprisonedperson a heavy burden of manipulation and procedure to accomplish theoperation of the device un-.

der a manifestly trying stress of conditions.

It is the object of my present invention to provide an improved deviceof the character above indicated which will not only require but slightand instant manipulation but which will be automatic in the instantejection of the closure plug and the consequent automatic opening of theair passage. My

vault construction, or large sates, or storage rooms or othercompartments, under condi tions in which an air-vent would be requiredto the interior in the eventuality of anyone being imprisoned therein.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a face view of a portion of the interiorsurface of a vault wall provided with my improved air-vent means.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding view at the exterior surface of the vaultwall.

' Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View through a portion of the vaultwall, showing the improved air-vent means partly in side view and partlyin section.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 3 and extendingsectionally through the air-vent means.

Fig. 5 is a detail cross-section on the line 5 .5, Fig. 4. I a

Fig. :6 is a detail cross-section on the line 6 6, Fig. 4. w

Fig. 7 is a detail cross section on the line 7- -7, Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a detail cross-section on the line 8 -8, Fig. 4. t v

Fig. 9 is a detail cross-section on the line 9-4), Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a detail cross-section on the line 10-40, Fig. 4,

Fig- 11 is a detail cross-section on the line 11.-11, Fig. 4,. 7

Fig. 12 is a face View of the inner ,face'of the operating spindle,showing its'electrical connections.

Fig. 13 is a perspective View, partly in section, of the holder andbearing for the operating spindle, showing the electrical connectionsthereof.

Fig. 14. is a partial longitudinal sectional view corresponding to Fig.3, and illustrating a modified construction in the mountingof the deviceupon steel-lined vaults.

Fig. 15 is a partial longitudinal sectional view corresponding to Fig.3, and illustrating a supplementary extension'means for increasing thelength of the air-vent means at its front end to compensate and equalizethe length for vault walls which are of increased thickness beyond thestandard length of the device.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same referencecharacters.

Referring to the drawings, 18 designates the tube or sleeve whichconstitutes the main tubular body of the device and extendslongitudinally through the vault wall. The exterior surface of this tubeis preferably cylindrical, and its outer end portion which is related tothe outside surface of the wall is preferably of increased exterior diameter, as at 19, and the lesser diameter beyond this enlarged end isuniforn'i throughout the length of the tube, as at 20. An externalcircumferential shoulder, as at'21, is thus formed upon the tube at theinner end of the enlarged front end portion 19. The internal bore orpassage of the tube extends longitudinally and is iu'eferablycylindrical with a diameter extending uniformly, as at 22, from theinner end of the tube, which is related to the inside surfaceof thevault wall, to a point within the enlarged outer or front end portion19, at which point the bore is flared or tapered outwardly, as at 23,said flaring enlargement of the boreextending to the front end of thetube. The lesser diameter inner end portion 20 of the tube is exteriorlythreaded, as at 24, the threads extending from tie inner end of the tubea suitable distance along its length. In mounting the device within thevault wall, the tube or sleeve is surrounded by a concrete grout orfilling which forms the interior Wall mass, as at- 25, and covers thesurface thereof including the exterior threads 24, and said threads areengaged by a locking member (as hereinafter described) secured at theinner face of the vault wall, whereby the tube is securely set andlocked in its position extending from the inner face to the outer faceof the wall, any longitudinal movement of the tube being resisted. bysaid locking member andthe external. shoulder 21 and external threadedportion 24 which are embedded in the wall grout or filling, saidshoulder eo-acting with the locking member against longitudinal movementof the tube.

at suitable points, preferably upon the enlarged front end portion 19,and upon the lesser diameter portion 20 between the threaded portion 2aand the shoulder 21., the tube is exteriorly provided with projectingribs or lugs, as at 26, of suitable length and at diametrically oppositesides, which ribs are engaged by anchoringplates, 27 mounted to surroundthe tube and project laterally therefrom, said plates having a centralopening corresponding to the cylinder of the tube and beingprovided withrecesses, 28,

at opposite sides of said opening and corresponding to the retainingribs '26. Said anchoring plates and retaining ribs are thus embedded inthe concrete grout of the vault wall and are operative to anchor thetube or sleeve in its set position and resist movement thereof eitherlaterally or longitudinally.

29 designates the closure plug for the tube, which normally extendslongitudinally within the bore of the tube and beyond the inner endthereof related to the interior surfaceof the vault wall. end of theplug has a flared or tapered head, 30, corresponding to the flared end'23 of the tube and adapted to form atight fit therein, from which heada longitudinal stem, 31, extends and constitutes the main body of theplug. This stem is of reduced diameter with; respect to the head 30 andto the diameter of the interior tubebore 22, thus forming a shoulder,32, at the rear or inner end of the flared head 30. Theplug ispreferably cylindrical, but is fixed against any turning movement withinthe tube, and it is preferably provided at the outer face of its head 30with a circun'iferential facellange, 38, which projects, at the exteriorsurface of the vault wall, over the joint be tween the flared plug-head30 and the flared end 23 of the tube-bore and forms a closure thereof.The exterior surface of the plugstem 31 is threaded, as at 34, from itsextreme inner end related to the interior ofv the vault to a suitabledistance of its length, and in said threaded portion a groove forming akey-Way, as at 35, is provided, said groove being in the longitudinalplane of the plug.

36 designates the locking member, before mentioned,'-for the tube 18.This member also forms the mounting and bearing for the operatingspindle which controls the plug, and comprises a body plate, 3", whichis secured to the "inner face of the vault wall, preferably by screws,as at 38, entering sockets, 39, fixed'in the grout or mass 25 of thewall. Said body plate has a central aperture, 40, in alignment with theplug 29 and through which the, threaded, end of the latter passes, andsi'irrounding said aperture is 'a tubular collar, 41, projecting fromthe inner face of the body plate and interiorly threaded, as at 42, saidthreads engaging the threaded inner end of themain tube 18 and thuslocking thc tube in its mounted position. Projecting from the body plate37 laterally Within the aperture 1-0 is a key or stud, 43, which engagesthe key-way or groove 35 of the closure plu 29 and thus precludesturning of the latter when in secured normal position and when beingreleased by'turning of the operating spindle.

The locking member 36 comprises an ex tension at its outer face, toprovide the support and bearing for the before-men- The outer or fronttioned operating spindle. Said extension is constituted by a] projectingcollar, 44, through which the aperture 40 in'the-body plate 37' isextended as a bore, 45, forming a cylindrical bearing for the hub of theopcrating spindle, and the upper side of said collar is recessed, as at4 6, to conform to the revoluble hub of the operatingspindle, saidrecess intersecting the collar-bore 45 and in conjunctiontherewithforminga seat and bearing into and from which the hub' of the spindlecan be inserted'for operation or lifted fordisengagement. 1 e

The operating spindle hereinbefore mentioned; is designated by 47 andpreferably comprises a body disc, 48, from the periph-' cry of whichradiate a convenient number of handles, 49, affording finger or handholds bywhich the spindle may beturned. From the inner face of the bodydisc extends a projecting cylindrical hub, 50, having anoutwardly'flared or beveled cylindrical end-head, 51, which hub and headare tightened up and secured in its normal clo-' sure position withinthe main tube 54 designates a coiled spring which is provided'for theautomatic ejection of the plug 29 forwardly from the'tube 18'when thespindle is operated at the interior of the vault to release its lockedengagementwith the plug. This-spring is of sufficient tensile strengthto ensure instant and effective ejection of the plug to throw itentirely clear of the tube, and it is mounted-within the bore of themain tube and 'surrounds'the longitudinal stem 31, hearing at its frontend against the plug-shoulder 32' and at its rear end against thebody'plate' 37 of the tube-locking member 36. q

The main elements of the device, such as the tube and plug and lockingmember are formed of metal resist-int to fire'or ordinary means ofattack, preferably'steelyand the outer enlarged end 19 of the tube, aswell as the tapered head'30 of the plug, are preferably rendereddrill-proof. The joint 'betweenthe plug head 30'and the flared front end23 of the tubeqand the face-fiange33 of the plug head is preferablysutliciently tight to preclude the ingress of air or .liquid. Also, ifdesired, any suitable-means may be provided to lock the operatingspindle in set position, whereby accidental turning of the stem orrelease of the closure plug wi'llbe precluded; The outer'face of thebody disc '48 of the operating spindle may also carry directions forturning or operation, as at 55, preferably 111 radium painted or printedletters, whereby the device and its means and method of operation can belocated in the dark interior of the vault.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the devicecomprises in its main elements but five parts, viz: the body tube, thelocking 'niember for the tube, the

closure plug, the operating spindle for the plug, and the plug-ejectingspring.

In Fig. 14 'I- have illustrated a modified construction in the mountingof the device upon steel-lined vaults, in which circumstances the bodyplate 37 of' the locking member 36 is directly fastenedfto the face ofthe metal plate, 56, constituting the vault lining, the securing screwsdirectly engaging said lining' plate, as at 57. This construction isadaptableto the usual conditions in a steellined vault, in which an airspace, as at 58, exists between the inner face of the lining plate andthe concrete grout or body mass 25 of the vault Wall.

Referring to Fig. 15, I have illustrated an extension means lengthof thedevice may be increased to com pensate for extra-thickness vault wallsbe yond the dimensions of the air-vent device in its usual standardlength. In this connection, it will be understood that the improvedair-vent devices are constructed in suitable lengths adapted to theordinary standards of thickness of the walls in which the device ismounted, but that under some circumstances it may be desirableto'provide a supplementary extension means to meet an extra thickness ofwallwithoutaltering the length of the main elements and construction ofthe air-vent device. Such means, as herein illustrated, are provided byan extension tube, as at "59, preferably formed of copper or bronze, andfittingv at its inner end, as at 60, over the front or outer end of themain body tube 18 at a point within the Wall mass, from which mountingat its inner end the extension tube projects the required distance tothe outer face oft-he vault wall. as at 61,

and has its front'end'turned outwardly to for mya face flange, 62,seated against the outer face of the wall mass 25. lVithin saidextension tube is set an extension. plug, 63, preferably of copper orbronze, which corresponds to the interior space of the extension tubebetween' the end of the main tube or sleeve 18 and the'end of the mainplug 29 and the'out'er face ofthe vault wall. Said extension plug ispreferably tubular, with a solid outer end wall, 64, thus affording aninterior air-space, as at 65, and the inner end of said tubular bodyabuts over the jo nt between theftaperedhead 30 of the main plug29 andthe tapered end 23 of the bore whereby the operative the outer end ofthe main tube 18 and main plug 29 and constitutes an extension ofthedevice to compensate for the full thickness of the vault wall, and it issecured in connection with and carried by the main plug 29, whereby ityis in effect an extension ofsaid main plug and will be automaticallyejected therewith in the operation of the device. The connection justreferred to is preferably effected by means of a threaded rod, 66,extending longitudinally in the air-space and having a threadedconnection with the end of the head 30 of the main plug 29, as at .67,and to the end wall (l4: of the extension .plug, as at ('38. The outerface of said end wall 6% is preferably covered by a face plate,69,preferablyof drill-proof steel, which is extended over the jointbetween the extension plug 63 and the extension tube 59, as at 70, thusforining an air and liquid proo joint. Said, face plate is preferablysecured to the extension plug by a threaded stem, 71, in engagement withthe end'wall (34-.

My improved aii '-vent, device also cone prises alarm mechanism foroperating an alarm or signal when the spindle is actuated to release themain closure plug 29 and peri init its automatic ejection from the walltube 1.8. In carrying out this purpose, the locle ing member 36'is')li)Vl(lO(l with contact means in an electric circuit, and thepreferred construction comprises an insulating plate, 72, carried uponthe outer face of the recessed collar 4-4: of the locking member, and insaid plate, which is preferably formed of bakelite, are mountedrespectively at diametrically opposite sides of the spindle hub twoprojecting spring-actuated plungercontacts, 73 73, preferably formed ofGer man silver, which normally project under their teiisionalspringcontrol from the face of the insulating plate 72. The line wiresor conductors, as at 74-74l, of a normally closed electric circuitcomprising a signal or alarm means adapted to be actuated when thecircuit is broken, are respectively connected with said plunger-contacts73. The inner face of the body disc 48 of the operating spindle carriesan insulating plate, 75, preferably formed of baltelite and annnlarlysurrounding the hub of the spindle, and inlaid in said plate is asegment conductor plate, as at 76, preferably formed of G6!- man silver,forining a conductor against which the plungers 73 normally contact.This segment conductor plate is also in Cll' cuit connection with therespective line wires or conductors 74.-7 l of the alarm circuit.

' Thus, when the operating spindle is in normal position holding theclosure plug 29 locked, the alarm circuit is closed, but when thespindle is operatively turned its conductor segment 76 passes off theconductor plunger contacts 7 3 and thus immediately 1 opens the circuitand the signaloralarm therein is actuated. that the alarm circuit is ofitself of any usual or adapted type and extends to any-desired point orlocation exterior of the vault, v

To altord an. additional protection in the alarm circuit, the line Wiresor conductors 744%, in connection with the plunger con tacts 73, may beextended in Wound position and insulated condition, coiled. around thelongitudinal length of the main, tube; or sleeve 18, as illustrated at77, Fig; 3.- Said coiled extension of the condiictorwires s resistant toan attack upon the device at any part of itslength through-or within thebody of the vault'wall,whereby the wires would be broken or severed andthus open the circuit and cause actuatioiiof the-alarm.

The operation and advantages of my;invention will be readily understood,The improved air-vent device is at'all times-normally retained in closedposition'by engagement of the operating spindle with the closure plug.Under emergency conditions, the

only action necessary within the vault to afford instant opening of theair. vent for effective ventilation or comn'iunication with theexterior, is merely the turning of the operating spindle to release itsengagement with the closureplug, whereupon, the latter will be instantlyand automatically ejected forwardly and entirely clearofthe wall-tube orsleeve by expansionof the controlling spring. The improved'device thus;lflOids a very simple and efl ectivelmeans which canbe'instantlyoperated for automatic action, without any excessive manual operation,or lifting or adjustment of heavy parts ,in' the stress of emergencyconditions;

.I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the detailconstruction. and arrangement of parts as herein shown'and described, asitis manifest that variations and modifications therein may be resortedto, in the adaptation of my inventionto varying conditions of ,use,without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention andimprovements. I therefore reserve the right to all such variations andmodifications as properly fall within the scope of my invention and theterms of the following claims; r

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent:

1. An airvent means of "the class de- It will be {understood 7 scribed,comprising a tubular body adapted front end to its seat in the tube, andmeans for auton'iatically ejecting the plug from said tube outwardly atthe outer side of the wall when said locking means is released.

3; An air-vent means of the class described, comprising a tubular bodyadapted to be secured in a wall and extend there-' through, aplugforming a closure for-said tube, means for preventing-turning of theplugin said tube, means operative at the inner side of the wall forlocking said plug in closure position and means for automaticallyejecting the plug from said tube outwardly at the outer" side of thewall when said locking means is released.

Y 4:. Anair-vent'ineans or the class described, comprisinga tubularbodyadapted tobe secured in a wall and extend there through, means forretaining said tube in fixed position within the wall, aplug forming aclosure for said-tube, means engaging the inner end of the plug at theinner side of the wall and operative to lock the'plug.

in closure position, and means forautomati- Cally-ejecting the plug fromsaid tube out-- wardlyat the outer side of the wall when the plug isreleased from said locking means.

5. An air-vent means of the class described, comprising a tubular bodyadapted to be secured in aflwall and extend there through, tube-locking.means engaging the inner end of said tube. at the innerside of thewall, a plug forming a closure for said tube, means carried by saidtube-locking means and engaging the inner end of theplug and operativeto lock the plug in closure position,- and means iforiautomaticallyejecting the plug from said tube outwardly at the outer side ofthewallwhenthe plug is released from said plug-locking means.

'6.-An air-vent means of the class described, comprising a tubular bodyadapted to be secured in a wall and extendtherethrough, a plug forming aclosure-for said tube and having a threadedinner end, means in threadedengagement with said end of the plugand operative atthe inner sideoft-he wall for locking said plug in closure position, and means forautomatically ejecting the plug form said tube outwardly at the outerside of the wall when said locking means is released.-

7. An air-vent means of the class described, comprising a tubular bodyadapted to be secured in a wall and extend there- ;through, a plugforming a'closure for said tube and having a threaded inner end, meansfor preventing turning of the'plug in said tube, means in threadedengagement .Wltll sa d end or. the plug and. operative at the inner sideof the wall for locking/said plug in closure position, and means forautomatically e ecting the plug from said tube outwardly at the outerside of the wall when said locking means is released.

8. An air-jvent means of the class described, comprising a tubular bodyadapted to be secured in a wall, and extend therethrough, said tubehaving the front end-of its bore enlarged or flared outwardly, a plughaving a threaded inner end and torming a closure tor sa d tube andhavlng its .front end correspondingly enlarged or flared out wardly,means in threaded engagement with theinner end of the plug and'operativeat the inner side of the wall for-locking said plug in closure positionand holding the enlarged iron-t end to its seatin the tube, and meanstor automatically e ecting the plug from said tube outwardly at theouter sideof the wall when said locking means is released. I 1 7 i j .9.An air-Vent means of the class'dcscribed, comprising a tubularbody'adaptcd' to be secured in a. wall and extend therethrough, a plugforming a closure for said tube, means operative at the inner side ofthe wall for locking said plug in closure position, and aspringtensionally bearing upon Said plug and operative to automatically ejectthe plug from said tube outwardly at the outer side of the wall whensaid locking means is released.

10. An ai r-vent means. of the class .described, comprisinga tubularbody adapted to be secured in a-wall and extend there through, said tubehaving the front end of its bore enlarged or flared outwardly, a plugforming a closure for said tube and having its front end correspondinglyenlarged or flared outwardly,means operative at the inner side of thewall for locking said plug in closure position, and a spring,tensionally bearing-against said enlarged outer end of the plug andoperative to automatically eject the plug from said tube outwardly atthe outer side of the wall when said locking means is released. I I v11. Anair-ventnieans of the class described, comprising a tubular bodyadapted tobe secured in a wall and extend therethrough, a plug forming aclosure for said tube, means for preventing turning of the plug withinthe tube, means operative at the inner side of the wall for locking saidplug in closure position, and a spring teiisionally bearing upon saidplug and operative to automatically eject the plug from said tubeoutwardly at the outer side of the wall when said locking means isreleased.

12. An air-vent means of the class described, comprising a tubular bodyadapted to be secured in a wall and extend therethrough, said tubehaving the front end of its bore enlarged or flared outwardly, a plugforming a closure for said tube and having its front end.correspondingly enlarged or -flare'd outwardly, means for preventingturning said plug in. closure position, and a ing of the plug within thetube, means'operative at the inner side of'the wall for lock- 13. Anair-vent means of the class described, comprising a tubular body adaptedto be secured in a wall and extend there through, a plug forming aclosure for said tube and having a threaded inner end,turn- 'able meansin threaded engagement with said end of the plug and operative at theinner side of the wall for locking said plug in closure position, and aspring tensionally bearing upon saidplug and operative to antomaticallyeject the plug from said tube outwardly at the outer side of thewallwhen said locking means is released.

14:. An air-vent means of the class de scribed, comprising atubular'body adapted to be secured in a wall and extend therethrough, said tubehaving the front end of its bore enlarged orflared outwardly, a plughaving athreaded inner end and forming a closure for said tube andhaving its front end correspondingly enlarged or flared outwardly,turnable means in threaded engagement with the inner end ofthe plug andoperative at the inner side of the wall for locking said plug in closureposition, and a spring tensionally bearing against said enlarged outerend of the plug and operative to automatically eject the plug from saidtube outwardly at the outer side of the wall when said locking means isreleased.

15. An air-Vent means of the class de scribed, comprising a tubular bodyadapted-to be secured in a wall and extend therethrough, a plug formingarclosure for said tube and having a threaded inner end, means forpreventing turning of the plug within the tube, turnable means inthreaded engagement with said end of the plug and operative at the innerside of the wall for locking said plug in closure position, and

a spring tensionally bearing upon said plug and operative toautomatically eject the plug from said tube outwardly at the outer sideof the wall when said locking means is released.

16. An air-vent means of the class described, comprising a tubular bodyadapted to be secured in a wall andextend therethrough, said tube havingthe front end of its bore enlarged or flaredioutwardly, a plug having athreaded inner end and forming a closure for'said tube and having itsfront end correspondingly enlarged or flared outwardly, means forpreventing turning of threaded engagement with the inner end of the plugand operative at the inner side of the wall for locking saidplug inclosure position, and a spring tensionally bearing against said enlargedouter end of the plug and operativeto automatically ejectthe plug fromsaid tube outwardly at the outer side of the wall when'said lockingmeans is released.

17. An air-vent aneans of the class described,comprising a tubular bodyadapted tobe secured in a wall and extend therethrough, a plug forming aclosure for said tube, means operative. at the inner side of the wallfor locking said 'plugin closure position, an extension plug earried'atthe outer end of said main plug to compensate for extra wall thickness,and means for automaticallyejecting the plug member from said tubeoutwardly at the outer side of the wall when said locking means isreleased.

18. An air-vent means ofthe class described, comprising a tubular bodyadapted to be secured in a wall and extend therethrough, a plug formingaelosure for said tube, means operative at the inner slde of 'JQHN" P1.WILLIAMSP the plug within the tube, turnable means in

